All the Best, George Bush: My Life in Letters and Other Writings
Page 39
I have eaten too much and too well in service to country. On the other hand, I have not drunk enough nor slept enough to serve my country well.
I have not missed the “leaks”, the political gossip, the “style section”, nor Congressional intransigence.
I have missed the United States of America and our 9:00 a.m. meetings.
See you Wednesday morning. By the way, I’ll have the full Mexican plate at lunch on Thursday.
Warm personal regards,
George
I asked my good friend and great writer Vic Gold to ghostwrite sort of a “political” autobiography, the kind of book that comes out about the candidate during an election year. Since I was traveling so much, we exchanged a lot of notes as I tried to answer some of his questions. Here is one I wrote on leadership and vision:
Vic:
Leadership is listening then acting. Leadership means respect for the other person’s point of view, weighing it, then driven by one’s own convictions acting according to those convictions.
If you can’t listen, you can’t lead.
Humor brings joy and helps make life sing; but if that humor is mean spirited or hurtful of another the lightness and the laugh give way to embarrassment and resentment.
Vision
On the domestic side jobs, but jobs in an America that is free of drugs, that is literate, that is tolerant. On the foreign policy side—peace, but peace in a world that offers more freedom, more democracy to the people of the world.
We were big fans of columnist Georgie Anne Geyer, who had written a nice column about me.
October 6, 1986
Dear Georgie Anne,
Having just read your column in today’s Washington Times, I’m sitting here trying to figure out how to do this. I don’t write letters to those who write nasty stuff, and frankly there hasn’t been too much of an opportunity to write regarding the other kind of columns—then along comes this column and without being gratuitous, I really want to say “Thanks”.
The Harrington15 piece in my view was, on balance very good. I got to like the guy; but I did argue with him, more than the story tells, about “class”, “privilege”, etc. I told Walt—“Look, yes I was lucky enough in the depression to have three square meals and a Dad that could pay the hospital bills when I got sick; but, Walt, I never felt the world owed me anything—‘class’ in that sense. I never felt superior to some other guy who had less.” I said, “You sound like Soc. 10 or even Soc. 22.” He allowed as how he had studied Sociology. On balance, I have no complaints about Walt’s piece. The “class” stuff said more about him than it did about me, me thinks. But your story told me that some do understand what makes our family tick. It’s funny how some sharp criticism does really sting then along comes a rainbow.
This is a personal letter. Your column meant so very much to both Barbara and me and we are grateful
Sincerely,
George Bush
November 4, 1986
The great question “WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE PRESIDENT?” And, I’ve tried to write it down. Believe me, even though I know it is not easy. I know I’ve got the leadership ability. I know I’ve got the experience. I want to see an educated America. I want to see a literate America. I want to see a drug-free America. I want to see America with opportunity and jobs. I want to see the emphasis remain on the family values. I want to use our abilities to bring peace, to continue the discussions with the Soviet Union, to reduce the fear of the kids of nuclear weapons, and also to be a beacon for freedom and democracy. I feel strongly on the Sandinistas for example.
But, how do you say all these things and get it into a slogan or a formula—a catch-all. I don’t know. But, this is what I feel very comfortable with—the philosophy. I want to see us do better in terms of opportunity for Blacks, for Hispanics, but again with the emphasis on the private side—private opportunity and education rather than vast government spending programs.
So it is putting these themes together. Getting good people. We are going to have to get into the nitty gritty—like, what we’ll do about the deficits, what we’ll do about the competitiveness and international trade. But I have had enough experience to feel comfortable with the issues. Eight years—six years ago, much less comfortable, much less experience. But, now—knowing the world leaders and seeing first-hand the President’s decision making process and frankly, learning from him a lot about keeping my cool and turning the other cheek and being pleasant and not getting bogged down in a lot of meaningless detail. All of these are good lessons about how one should go about being President. . . .
About this time George and Laura and the twins moved to Washington so George could work full-time on my presidential campaign. Jeb was also very involved in Florida. I dictated to my diary:
Nov. 12, 1986
I think George Bush coming up here will be very helpful and I think he will be a good insight to me. He is very level-headed, and so is Jebby. I think some of our political people are thinking, “Oh, God, here come the Bush boys.” But, you know where their loyalty is and they both have excellent judgment and they are both spending a bunch of time on this project. Neil gets rave reviews out in New Hampshire—both he and Doro going there. I would love to see Neil full-time in New Hampshire, but I don’t think it can work16 . . . they love him there and he does an outstanding job there and elsewhere. Big Marv is not involved in politics at this juncture, but he is a great comfort, having him and Margaret and Marshall here.17 It adds a joyous family dimension to our lives. It puts it in bright colors. It makes me feel that I haven’t lost all sense of priority here. . . .
On November 3, the news broke that the Reagan administration had secretly been selling weapons to Iran. Critics immediately charged it was an “arms for hostages” deal, although President Reagan steadfastly insisted it was part of an overall plan to improve relations with Iran, which would in turn hopefully bring the hostages home. The controversy turned into a crisis a few weeks later when it was further revealed that several NSC staff members had decided on their own to funnel the money from the arms sales to the contras in Nicaragua. This was in direct violation of Congress’s decision that the United States should no longer provide funds for the contra movement. When I dictated this entry into my diary, it was still unclear who knew what and when.
Nov. 13th 1986
The President showing great tension for the first time. . . . The NSC seems to be wanting to hold the line, trying to get the hostages back. There’s tension between the various players . . . a tendency to say everybody knew it when Shultz himself has felt clued out. I am urging being very careful of what is said—not trying to say the whole Cabinet was involved, when they weren’t. Not trying to put the facts beyond where they are. I remember Watergate. I remember the way things oozed out. It is important to level, to be honest, to be direct. We are not to say anything, but the damn gates are open. Everybody is making judgments based on erroneous information and it is a flood of wrong facts coming out. . . .
As the news continued to unfold, there was growing speculation about my involvement. I had known about the sale of arms to Iran. I had not known about the diversion of funds to the contras. Friends began urging me to back away from the controversy and even criticize the administration. I wrote my good friend Norm Brinker:
Nov. 23, 1986
Mr. Norman Brinker
Dallas, Texas 75248
Dear Norm, my friend.
If you were in deep and serious trouble, caught up in a fire storm of some truth and some distortion you wouldn’t want a friend to go out and be on record as ‘known to feel this way or that’ or to even appear to be second guessing.
There’s a lot at stake here—some of it relates to the President’s very ability to govern for two years. Yes, I have a lot at stake politically for my own future, but I have a lot at stake in terms of my own self respect. Thus I must resist any temptation to look good or bright by jumping into the public fray.
I have such gr
eat respect and friendship, too, for you; that I hope you understand where I am coming from on all this. I may be wrong, and I may get weakened but I cannot treat this President any differently. I, of course, will not tell an untruth or shade the truth in any way, but having said that I cannot turn on a friend either.
Love to all the family,
George
Dec. 1, 1986
The Honorable Henry E. Catto18
Washington, D. C. 20007
Henry, my friend,
I just saw yours of Nov. 21—postal reform dammit, but then you are two blocks away. (I hope it’s not my vast bureaucracy.)
. . . These are tough times. Tonight we had call from NY Times saying they had it on good authority that Bud [McFarlane] had told the Senate Comm. that he had told me about arms money from Iran going to the Contras. “Explosive” the Times man said. We told him ‘not true’; checked to find that no such testimony had been given. Later found that same NY Times guy had called Regan’s19 office saying he had been named by Bud etc. Regan checked with Committee staff, told “No” this never happened, called Times man back. We’ll see if Times goes with it. I cite this so that you will know what you already know, things are tough out there.
There is a frenzy. My mode, having been through history’s greatest frenzy, albeit as a spear carrier—Be calm. Tell the whole truth, not panic when one’s political opponents spread lies or plant little negatives. Push for prompt revelation of all facts. Get the truth to the American public, suffer indulgently the arrows let fly by a hungry press—do your best and don’t worry about things you can’t do anything about. Give sane advice to the President but don’t talk about it. Do all this and you’ll live to be 100. Maybe your colon will have a kink or two in it from concern, but life’ll go on.
GB
December 16, 1986
Mrs. Prescott S. Bush, Sr.
Jupiter Island
Hobe Sound, Florida 33455
Dearest mum,
. . . These are not easy times here, but they are times that the things you and Dad taught me come to the fore. Tell the Truth. Don’t blame people. Be strong. Do your Best. Try hard. Forgive. Stay the Course. All that kind of thing.
The President is embattled. Some of our political friends worry about me and what all this will do to me; but you see, I don’t worry—really. I know the President is telling the whole truth. I know I have, too. And I also know that the American people are fair and forgiving.
So don’t worry about middle-size—And besides if all goes wrong (and it won’t) look at all the blessings I have in life. Bar, kids, 10 grandkids. And besides I have the neatest Mum in the whole wide world; and I love her very very much.
Poppy
December 21, 1986
. . . Nobody had any dream that these kinds of things were going on, and it should have been coordinated and reported. . . . The President can’t give advice in private—can’t get advice in private without reading about it in the newspapers. I’ll probably be pressed now on advising him—what I told the President, but I simply can’t do that. One thing I might do is put out a chronology of what meetings I attended and let that serve as a record, cause on these key meetings that they are talking about, the key meetings that are disputed, it appears I was not there. I can not possibly reconstruct events. I can not remember details and nobody can. But, I can only do my best to recall these matters. There is a mood and the White House is totally down. . . .
The hardest thing of all this is to have your honor and your integrity questioned. The kind of doubt and meanness that gets into the faces of the reporters when they simply don’t think you are telling the truth. . . . It is disappointing, but goes with the territory. This is the biggest political test—or test of any kind—that I’ve ever been through. I suppose that one could say that it would end—if it continues like this—it would make it extremely difficult to get the nomination. But, it is far too early to make judgments of that nature.
A note to my wife on our anniversary:
January 6th, 1987
Let’s see Bar—42 years ago this minute I was a nervous wreck—you, too, maybe. Anyway, here we are 42 years later, and I am a very happy guy—the luckiest in the world actually. I have a skinny, miles walking wife; I have a lot of grandkids (so do you) and they all, each and everyone, bring me happiness just thinking about them. Our own kids are great; our dog is in tough shape, but he’s given us joy; our house wasn’t even nicked by the seas or the snow; we aren’t rich, but we are awful lucky. We don’t owe any money and if either of us get sick the other guy can pay the bills. We have a lot of friends—no real enemies tho there are some who aren’t exactly rooting hard for us; we have quiet faith that gives us strength; so—when we count our blessings we’ve got to count on a long long time.
How do I love you? Let me count the ways—one, er, ah, lets’ see—I’m not good at that. But I love you very much. Have for more than 42 years and will for the next howmsoever many lie ahead. I can’t ever say it too well, but you know that, don’t ya?
Love,
Pop
January 11, 1987
Mrs. Prescott Bush
Links Road
Hobe Sound, Florida 33455
Dear Mum,
Loved your post-visit letter; but let me clear up one point. The President did NOT know about the diversion of funds to the Contras. He has stated what his policy was on a limited amount of arms to Iran,20 but he has stated he did not know about the diversion of funds. As a matter of fact there is some reasonable doubt that no funds may have ever reached the contras. More on this after North21 testifies.
Don’t worry about all this stuff, please. I don’t like the constant drum beat on the news, but the total truth will be out soon, and the people will see that the President has told the truth. That’s the main thing. Of course there will be differences about arms to Iran etc., but so be it.
Loved seeing you—all too brief though. . . .
Much Much Love,
George
Feb. 25, 1987
Dear Noelle,
Here is a picture of our new dog.22 Her formal name is Mildred K but we call her Millie. She was named after Mrs. Baine Kerr whose first name is Mildred.
You know what she does?—well when I am asleep she cuddles up right next to me, I mean really close, then she puts her nose in between my cheek and my neck. I mean she is a cuddly warm little pup. She is good on retrieving tennis balls and she follows Ganny everywhere she goes—I mean everywhere, get it?
We miss you. You are my very favorite second oldest grandchild.
Devotedly,
Gampy
March 17, 1987
This being President and running for it—sometimes I pinch myself when I see polls showing me as the leading contender. Of course, it is vitally important, but family, faith, and friends—that is the priority—in politics, do your best, do it with honor, do it with dignity. . . .
It is a terrible climate—awful ugliness of the business. The press—cynicism, shouting and yelling and snide and yet you know you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. The country is so great, I’ve got to make a contribution. We’ll know soon—in just about a year. Tired, dead bone tired the night of March 17.
March 18th ’87
Dear Sister,
. . . It’s going to be a long ghastly year, but mentally and physically I am up for it. Look at it this way, in less than a year I think we’ll know the full story. I am going to go the extra mile, take the extra shot of flak, smile, work hard, not bleed too much, all with the certain knowledge that I can win it and go all the way, but knowing that IF that doesn’t work a great life out there is holding out its arms.
Just being with George P. and watching him face life’s wonders would count for 3 months a year, and that doesn’t leave enough time for the other nine or Bar or Millie (new dog) . . . Anyway life is pretty good.
Poppy
March 31, 1987
MEMORANDUM FROM THE VICE PRESIDE
NT
FOR:
Howard Baker
Frank Carlucci23
I received two calls today, one from Mr. Richard Stethem and one from his wife. I did talk to Dick Stethem, the father of the kid that was killed by Hamadei.24 I told him that the U.S. Government’s policy remains the same in favor of extradition. I said I had seen that same story, but that we were still determined to see this man brought to full justice in the United States in accord with the terms of our anti-terrorism policy.
I guess we can all understand the anxiety that the Stethem family feels on this matter. Should the Germans do anything but bring this man to full justice in lieu of extradition, it would be very, very bad.
George Bush
April 8, 1987
Went out to the National Institute of Health for a very impressive AIDS briefing. Dr. [Samuel] Broder, Dr. [Tony] Fauci25, the head of the hospital, Dr. [James] Wyngaarden and others. Blood supply is being screened and is safe. They are encouraged by some of the vaccines . . . They can keep people alive quite a bit longer. It sounds like the early research on leukemia to me. I sat and talked with a gay man who has AIDS—no visible signs. . . .
Education is important, but I’m troubled by teaching every little kid how to use a condom. Monogamous sex and sex with love is very important. I think that the values should be at the family level, the local school level, the local community level, the church and religious-centered level. I did come out for mandatory testing at the time a marriage license is issued. The papers played it up as being very cautious on this question. Certainly, intravenous dirty needle or infections should be strongly and roundly condemned. . . .
April 12, 1987
. . . Flew late Saturday night to Maine. Had a total non-political day in Maine. Doro came down and left Ellie26 and Sam in my charge when she and Bar went downtown. Ellie woke up, Doro predicting that she wouldn’t. I picked her up, changed her diaper, putting the new fangled kind of diaper on backward and using Sam’s diaper and not hers. Warmed up her bottle in the quick heating deal there and tested it on my wrist, just like the old days and fed her—three enormous burps. Ken Raynor the golf pro was over and he knew less about it than I did. He said, “No, no you don’t have to burp them anymore,” but after she showed a little discomfort about one third of the way through, I put her on my shoulder and up came—right from her toes—the most enormous burp, with some kind of after-wave of formula. It just about knocked me out. She is such a beautiful girl—big eyes and I just love that quiet time with her in my arms. Sam came in, after he got up—his mother had gotten home by then. He’s so sweet. He loves Ellie—no longer jealous. All in all, it is just heaven. . . .